Charlie Daniels Band draws nearly 2,000 fans

The inaugural Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts Music Festival was deemed a success by event organizer Dr. Michael Maddox.

The all-day festival took place Aug. 31 at the Lake of the Rockies Campground in Monument. Legendary musician Charlie Daniels headlined the event.

“I thought it was a great audience for the first time out,” Maddox said. “We had a lot of competition over Labor Day weekend. I heard nothing but positive things from people.”

Daniels and his band was the final act of the day.

Maddox estimated there were between 1,600 and 1,800 people in attendance.

“Charlie was great to work with and so was his entire crew,” Maddox said. “He's just a wonderful man.”

Daniels electrified the crowd with a handful of his classic hits. His rendition of Johnny Cash's “Folsom Prison Blues” was also a fan favorite.

But Daniels got his biggest ovation when he performed his final song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Pop charts in 1979. He nearly burned the strings of his fiddle as he performed the song with unbridled enthusiasm.

Maddox said event organizers are already planning for a similar type show next spring.

“We don't have any details yet, but we're excited about bringing another great show back to the Tri-Lakes area,” he said.